Wallabies 2023

[Tomthumb]

Agree with all those selections and assume you mean Quarter's not Semi's. I think now we would want to finish top and avoid England, whereas pre tournament I wasn't fussed whether we played England or Argies.

I say bring on England

 

[Yoda]

I’d really prefer it Eddie replaces White with Lonergan, to have a third goal kicker would be good and we need to move on from guys like White IMO

How can you do that? White is not injured? Talk what CAN happen not your wish.

 

[TSR]

Agree with all those selections and assume you mean Quarter's not Semi's. I think now we would want to finish top and avoid England, whereas pre tournament I wasn't fussed whether we played England or Argies.

Yes - I meant quarters. Agree on finishing top so let’s make sure we win this one so it is a straight shoot out with Wales, not a maths equation with Wales & Fiji.

 

[rodha]

Not that McReight was any good but no Hooper would not have done better, they both suffer from the same issue. It’s crucial Eddie tests a bigger body soon, prefabably against Wales.

I agree, unfortunately I can't see the Wallabies making it past any top 4 teams with McReight there, Australia just doesn't produce modern 7's that are dominant defenders and shift bodies at the ruck, too many players are not being developed appropriately at the lower levels to maximize their strengths, M.Hooper for example should have been identified as a world quality midfielder in the making and encouraged to change positions early to 13 - this would've increased his career longevity by at least 3 years and he wouldn't have sustained so many head knocks in such a physically intensive position, it's an indictment on the state of Australia's high performance systems post the Nuicifora period that they have not produced dominant 7's on both sides of the ball since George Smith and Nuicifora coached Pocock 2010-11.

 

[liquor box]

Tupou got through an impressive amount of work in the heat. I’d give him a rest from the start as well. Don’t test those calves.

I was worried for a second just before his intercept to set up the try, he ran back in defence at 100% and when he slowed he did not look comfortable, I thought it may have been a tweak but then he saw an opportunity and came back to full speed.

I would start him, but only give him 30, if his replacement is injured he can still come back on.

I would prefer as much repetition and familiarity with the starting team as possible and this will only happen if he starts

 

[qwerty51]

I agree, unfortunately I can't see the Wallabies making it past any top 4 teams with McReight there, Australia just doesn't produce modern 7's that are dominant defenders and shift bodies at the ruck, too many players are not being developed appropriately at the lower levels to maximize their strengths, M.Hooper for example should have been identified as a world quality midfielder in the making and encouraged to change positions early to 13 - this would've increased his career longevity by at least 3 years and he wouldn't have sustained so many head knocks in such a physically intensive position, it's an indictment on the state of Australia's high performance systems post the Nuicifora period that they have not produced dominant 7's on both sides of the ball since George Smith and Nuicifora coached Pocock 2010-11.

If it’s not Deans, or McKenzie, then it’s Nucifora. Never change.

 

[The Red Baron]

I agree, unfortunately I can't see the Wallabies making it past any top 4 teams with McReight there, Australia just doesn't produce modern 7's that are dominant defenders and shift bodies at the ruck, too many players are not being developed appropriately at the lower levels to maximize their strengths, M.Hooper for example should have been identified as a world quality midfielder in the making and encouraged to change positions early to 13 - this would've increased his career longevity by at least 3 years and he wouldn't have sustained so many head knocks in such a physically intensive position, it's an indictment on the state of Australia's high performance systems post the Nuicifora period that they have not produced dominant 7's on both sides of the ball since George Smith and Nuicifora coached Pocock 2010-11.

It must be the headgear.

 

[Beer on the hill]

Kemeny is the backup 7 I’d imagine.

There is a bloke with the last name of Hooper in Australia waiting.

 

[dusk]

There is a bloke with the last name of Hooper in Australia waiting.

Thanks for the input mate

 

[Tomthumb]

There is a bloke with the last name of Hooper in Australia waiting.

I think Tom Hoopers dad is a bit old to attempt a comeback

 

[Beer on the hill]

I think Tom Hoopers dad is a bit old to attempt a comeback

Silly take.

 

[dru]

Silly take.

It seems to be catching.

 

[liquor box]

I think Tom Hoopers dad is a bit old to attempt a comeback

Isn't Tom Hooper's son named Michael?

Maybe this would satisfy the Michael Hooper fans?

 

[Brumby Runner]

There is a bloke with the last name of Hooper in Australia waiting.

A bit early for Lachlan to make the Wallabies just yet, but he'll likely be there in a couple of years.

 

[John S]

There is a bloke with the last name of Hooper in Australia waiting.

Page 200 of this thread wants it's line back.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Isn't Tom Hooper's son named Michael?

Maybe this would satisfy the Michael Hooper fans?

Other way around I thought.

David Pocock still looks pretty good.

 

[stillmissit]

He is consistently mediocre. No highs. No lows (except the occasional missed clutch goal). That said, and I hate to admit it, but I would have him the squad ahead of Lolesio and Edmed.

Guys can we drop the shitting on Donaldson, what a player does in Super Rugby and what they do in Wallabies can be very different. We have had many guys who looked good in Super Rugby but couldn't step up. Let's just applaud the fact that he went well at 15.
Considering the guys who have played 15 over the last 20 years he ain't the worst by a long shot. BTW some of you attacked him correctly for poor D, if you remember Beale at 15 - now there was a turnstile..

 

[stillmissit]

I think he seemed anonymous to some as he played a different game from his usual - a lot tighter and got through mountains of grunt work at the rucks.

McRight can't be any good as he doesn't do big fancy runs and bugger all else.

 

[Adam84]

Irony

 

[Joe Blow]

Guys can we drop the shitting on Donaldson, what a player does in Super Rugby and what they do in Wallabies can be very different. We have had many guys who looked good in Super Rugby but couldn't step up. Let's just applaud the fact that he went well at 15.
Considering the guys who have played 15 over the last 20 years he ain't the worst by a long shot. BTW some of you attacked him correctly for poor D, if you remember Beale at 15 - now there was a turnstile..

I watched the game again yesterday and Donaldson did not put a foot wrong outside of a couple of missed tackles. His positional play was flawless and his kicking very good for the most part. He was right there to score two, almost three, tries, saved another certain try and showed a very good turn of pace.
Both Cooper and Foley were horrible in defense when initially selected for the Wallabies and now they are decent in that area, often putting their bodies on the line to make tackles. Donaldson needs to be given a little direction in this part of his game.
I have not been a fan of his selection but good luck to him and well played.